Wednesday–Sunday | 11am–5pm | 211 Water Street
Visit the gift emporium and letterpress print shop at the South Street Seaport Museum.
The original Bowne & Co. was established by Robert Bowne in 1775 and is one of New York’s oldest printing firms. By 1900, New York City boasted over 700 printing offices. Most were located in Lower Manhattan and throughout the South Street Seaport Historic District to facilitate shipping, trade, and finance. As the maritime trade industries continued to grow each year, they found themselves in need of a flurry of printed materials for conducting business. This created the demand for stationery, invoices, advertisements, and additional printed materials.
In 1975, the 19th century-style print shop that you can visit today was created to honor the Bicentennial of Bowne & Co., Inc., in partnership with the South Street Seaport Museum and the Bowne Foundation. This tribute to the past awaits your exploration at 211 Water Street—in the heart of the South Street Seaport Historic District. Using the Museum’s collection of historical equipment, Bowne & Co. continues the tradition of letterpress printing and captures the essence of a turn-of-the-century store, offering a unique and eclectic experience like none-other. Visit today to immerse yourself in the historical charm and legacy, as this shop weaves together New York’s maritime and printing heritage.
Entry to visit Bowne & Co. is free and you do not need Museum admission to the Seaport Museum. Access to the gift emporium and letterpress print shop, as well as workshops and event space require walking up and down a few stairs.
Explore the Gift Emporium
Wednesday–Sunday | 11am–5pm | 211 Water Street
You don’t need a Museum admission ticket to the Seaport Museum to visit the Bowne & Co. gift emporium and fancy goods shop. Stop by to browse the carefully-curated selection of unique wares including books, candles, home decor, stationery, oddities, as well as house-designed and -printed paper goods.
While you explore the shop, make sure to take a look at the historical printing presses and speak to our friendly and knowledgeable resident printers.
Get Hands On
Monthly | 211 Water Street
Roll up your sleeves and learn about letterpress printing through monthly and seasonal workshops and open houses. Each month, the designers at Bowne & Co. welcome the public into the shop to share the history of printing and let attendees use the historical equipment from the Museum’s working collection. You can even design and print your own bespoke stationery—from start to finish! Learn more about regularly scheduled offerings below:
Shop Online
Anytime | Bowne.co
The Bowne & Co. online shop features a special selection of core offerings from Bowne & Co. including journals, writing paper, books, cards for seasonal and special occasions, and of course, house-designed notecards and broadside posters.
Orders can be shipped anywhere in the United States via UPS Ground and are also available for local pickup at the storefront on 211 Water Street.
Order Custom 19th Century-Style Letterpress Printing
By Appointment
Bowne & Co. continues the age-old tradition of job (or small batch) printing. Our resident printers create bespoke designs produced using the Seaport Museum’s extensive working collection of historical printing presses, moveable type, illustrations, and additional equipment.
Bowne & Co. is a prime example of how the South Street Seaport Museum is dedicated to preserving New York’s history as well as the skills and expertise it took to run a turn-of-the-century business like this.
Get in touch with us at the button below or stop by 211 Water Street to learn more.
Get a Taste of Bowne & Co.
South Street Seaport Museum
By subway: Take the A, C, 2, 3, J, Z, 4, or 5 train to Fulton Street.
By bus: Take the M-15 SBS or M-15 to Fulton Street.
By water: The NYC Ferry, and New York Waterway provide service to Pier 11. The Staten Island Ferry provides services to Whitehall Terminal.
Parking: Parking lots can be found at Front and John Streets, as well as 294 Pearl Street.